Playstation 4 DualShock 4 Controller - Specs & Design

The DualShock 4
While controllers over the life of the PlayStation brand have generally been the same on the outside, Sony has made some DAMN good changes to this iteration of it's controller both inside and out.

The Dualshock Hardware

The DualShock 4 displays the same general layout and buttons as past DualShock controllers, but now the controller offers additional features along with new buttons. The most obvious change is the inclusion of a wide touchpad where the Select and Start button were; those buttons are now replaced with an Options button instead. Sony has mentioned that the touchpad can respond to up to two fingers at a time, which expands the number of possibilities for input to those like you would see on a smartphone.

In addition, the DualShock 4 sports a 3.5-mm headphone jack that supports surround sound along with both an accelerometer and a gyroscope, both reported to be better than what is currently included in the DualShock 3 and Vita. The two rumble motors now have varying strength, a change from the DualShock 3 where rumble was either active or not.

This creates a heightened sense of realism in all PlayStation 4 games. The DualShock 4 also includes a built-in speaker, meaning that sounds from the game can play through the controller instead of your normal speakers.

Atop the device is a light bar that can pick up and detect movement, making the controller something like a mixture between a DualShock and a PlayStation Move. According to Sony, the light bar can display one of several different LED colors to relay information; for example, if a player is low on health and may die in the game, the light bar may relay this information with the appropriate color.

This mixes up the usual methods most games use, such as tinting the screen red as the player loses health, although that's still used most of the time.

The light bar will also light up corresponding to the player's controller: blue, red, pink and green corresponding to player one through four, respectively. Additional features the light bar offers include the ability to track players. This is used most commonly in PlayStation VR games, for example.

One minor but welcome addition is the new analog sticks that sport ridges to keep your thumbs in place, a change from the DualShock 3's rounded off sticks. Sony has also improved the L2 and R2 buttons, making the buttons more comfortable and reducing "accidental button presses" during movies or Netflix.

The DualShock 4 has also replaced the DualShock 3's analog buttons with digital buttons, claiming that "developers were ignoring" the feature. The trade-off is that the DualShock 4 has decreased latency over the DualShock 3.

In addition to replacing the analog buttons, Sony has also given the directional pad a small makeover: the pad is larger with more angular buttons, providing a better grip over the DualShock 3's directional pad and increased accuracy in games.

In-Depth Specifications

Thanks to Amazon, we have detailed specs of the DualShock 4! These specs outline the basic features we already knew about, such as the buttons and ports, to even obscure details such as the size of the controller and the weight.

What About an Elite Controller?

While Microsoft has its own first-party elite controller, PlayStation hasn't done anything beyond the classic Dualshock 4. Even so, they did work with two major gaming accessory companies to design some very fancy controllers for e-sports players.

Both of these controllers were designed with Sony closely monitoring the progress. The Nacon Revolution came up at a retail price of $115, while the Razer Raiju will set you back $130.

Here are the specs for the Nacon controller:

4 Extra buttons (switches on the back)

8-way directional-pad

Two internal comparments with 6 weights to customize your balance

PC companion app for customizing buttons

Four profiles for both macros and sensitivity

Raised thumbsticks with increased articulation

Next up are the Raiju's specs:

4 Extra buttons (2 bumpers and 2 detachable triggers)

4-button control panel

Two profiles for macros, programmable as you're playing

Hard shell carrying case

Rubberized grips on thumsticks and handles

Trigger-stop switches and hair trigger modes

PC compatible

The biggest benefit of these pro-level controllers, are the programmable buttons that let you get your inputs in faster and more efficiently. Depending on how you customize them, you can make actions happen without ever taking your fingers off the thumbsticks.

When you boil it down, neither of these are going to replace the Dualshock 4 in the mainstream market, but they will offer customization for those looking to beef up their game.

The Razer option is more comfortable overall and feels more natural, but the Nacon controller has a lot more customization options if you have the time to sink into it.

In either case, pro-level gamers or very serious competitive ones will find a lot to love about these two options. In the end though, the Dualshock 4 reigns supreme!

Let's explore a few more features our favorite controller offers.

Unqiue Dualshock 4 Features

Sharing is Caring
The biggest change to the DualShock 4 is quite likely the biggest change to the PlayStation itself: the sharing button / feature. Much has been said about the sharing feature of the PlayStation 4 and the DualShock 4 is where the magic happens. By pressing the share button on the DualShock 4, you'll come face-to-face with a variety of options enabling you to connect with the PlayStation 4 community at large.

At its most basic, the Dualshock Share button enables you to upload both images and video not only to your PlayStation 4 profile but also to a social networking service, such as Facebook. To take a screenshot using the Share button, simply hold the Share button down for a few seconds and you'll take a picture of whatever is happening on screen.

The Share button doesn't just stop with pictures and videos – it will enable you to watch a friend play a game on his own PlayStation 4 and even take control of the game for him, using your DualShock 4 to conquer a particularly tough part for him. This is a unique feature called Share Play.

Windows And Mac Compatibility
President of Worldwide Studios for Sony Computer Entertainment Shuhei Yoshida has once again taken to Twitter to confirm another new feature of the DualShock 4: native Windows support.

By default, a Windows PC recognizes an Xbox 360 controller and allows you to use it with a variety of PC games. Unfortunately, the DualShock 3 lacks Windows compatibility by default, requiring third party software to use, a feature the DualShock 4 looks to correct.

Whether this means Windows will recognize the DualShock 4 as an actual DualShock 4 or just a variation of the Xbox 360 controller remains to be seen. Yoshida stated that more information would be forthcoming in the coming weeks in the lead up to the PS4 launch.

Sony has also revealed that the DualShock 4 will now be fully compatible with Mac's OS X as well.

PS3 Compatibility

A July 2014 PS3 firmware update now lets you use DualShock 4 controller on your PlayStation 3! Keep in mind that if you sync the controller to your PS3, you will need to resync it to your PS4.

Unfortunately, the rumble and motion sensors of the DualShock 4 will not work when it's used on the PS3.

Extended Battery Life

One of the major complaints about the DualShock 4 has been its weak battery life, with the controller needing to be charged every six to eight hours. Third-party manufacturer Nyko has come up with the solution to this in the form of the "Power Pak."

This device connects to the controller through the Micro USB port and claims to double the battery life of the DualShock 4! Nyko claims the Power Pak is lightweight and does not cause any issues when holding the controller. The Power Pak is available for $19.99 at all video game retailers.

Leading the Revolution
With this design, the DualShock 4 provides familiarity for veteran PlayStation gamers but enough new features that show Sony's dedication to innovation.

Sony has taken the criticisms about the DualShock 3 and not only improved it but added features that most gamers didn't even think they needed, like a new directional pad or improved motors. All of the PlayStation 4's new features seemingly begin with the DualShock 4, the natural evolution to a tried and true design.

For up-to-the minute DualShock 4 news, check this page often! The staff at PS4 Experts will ensure that you'll be the first to know about any breaking news.

I Think the remote Would Have gaming Memory......Say For Instance if You Unlock An Achievement Then On Your Touch Screen remote Controller It Show Up...Which Da remote Should Have memory So All Your Achievements Or Trophy's Should Save In your Controller?????? That Way If You Unlock or Achieve Anything On A Certain Video Game...You Would Be Able To Play The Same Game At A Neighbor Or A Friend House With Your Trophy's And Your Accomplishment's On Their System...What That Being Said You Should Be Able To Log In On Your Remote That Way It Would Be Easier To Save Memory On The Controller Incase Someone Decides To Play With The Remote that doesnt have a account registered to the controller could Play As Default Gamer......Instead Of Buying Seperate Controller....That Way You Are The Controller And The Controller Is You It Would Make Gaming So Much Cooler And easier....Thanks

1: make the PS vita the controler
2: give it a desktop Hard drive, so i can have 2TB instead of 320GB...
3: water cooling system
4: backwards compatability
5: give it fans so they cool the system AND make the system levitate while playing, i don't wanna buy a stand to help cooling...
6: more USB ports
7: no power brick, keep[ the ps3 cable for power
8: the contoler needs a screne, so when i need to take a dump i can hit a button and my game is in my hands, not the TV.
9: include a free ps1/2/3 game with the console
10: make it customisable from the Sony website (custom colours)\
11: screw copying microsoft's connect, i don't wanna jump around my living room like an idiot
12: free online play
13: allow it to play games just plugged in/ include a cable to work in a car (see point 8)
14: 'mess up' and let it play Xbox and Xbox 360 games ;) just to mess with Microsoft
15: give it more than 1 prosesser, 5 cell processers will insure a 20 year lifespan...
16: allow it 2 have TO hard drives, imagin 2, 2TB hard drives, 4TB, you will never run out of space
17: 3D
18: have the slim project the image, screw the TV
19: have it expensive, i don't wanna be playing 5 YOs'd on COD or Battlefield
20: keep the XMB, but add cross game chat, people are to lasy to use a phone...
yes, high expectations... and no, i won't buy a 11grand gaming computer, but a 1grand ps4 sounds good...

I don't like the idea that the sony is going to rush to get their system out around 2012-2013 because even though it's going to be a great system, the xbox is going to wait in till both the wiiU and ps4 are out to make the better system. It's a strategy the ps3 did last time but they saw that the wii came out first and got a lot of sales so now Sony is pretty much racing to be the second or first system out. I would rather have to wait for the ps4 to come out longer and have it be the best system of all 3. I prefer quality. The playstation is undoubtedly the best right now with graphics, games, controller, etc but it was very expensive when it came out and it came out last so the other systems had an advantage by time and price.....

As fun as the Mario games can be... the Wii still sucks in comparison.. there are no good games for it aside from the Mario galaxy and donkey kong country returns. And it doesn't even do HD wtf were they thinking gtfo of here wit that ish. Only thing the Wii is good for is when you've got girls over.. anyway I have both

I Think the remote Would Have gaming Memory......Say For Instance if You Unlock An Achievement Then On Your Touch Screen remote Controller It Show Up...Which Da remote Should Have memory So All Your Achievements Or Trophy's Should Save In your Controller?????? That Way If You Unlock or Achieve Anything On A Certain Video Game...You Would Be Able To Play The Same Game At A Neighbor Or A Friend House With Your Trophy's And Your Accomplishment's On Their System...What That Being Said You Should Be Able To Log In On Your Remote That Way It Would Be Easier To Save Memory On The Controller Incase Someone Decides To Play With The Remote that doesnt have a account registered to the controller could Play As Default Gamer......Instead Of Buying Seperate Controller....That Way You Are The Controller And The Controller Is You It Would Make Gaming So Much Cooler And easier....Thanks

that's a great idea to an extent, but an easy way to transfer corrosive data and ending up into a fight with you and your buddy. I like the idea for sure though. That's out of the box thinking for sure.

Well I think that the console should have a 3TB memory and should have the Xbox games on it because L4D is amazing and I think they should of put it on they should have the controllers exactly the same but made out of glass and have a screen at the bottom because when you go to the toilet and you are in the middle of a game let's say zombies and your on a very high round well your going to die so they should do that the console should be completely different have it portable so have it so you don't have to plug it in and have a charger so it don't need a plug and have a portable one sony have made a good set of consoles and don't ruin it by having it exactly the same and have some glasses so with some games its virtual and have the move feature and have a have this suit so you can be in the game good luck sony

i think the ps4 controllers should be like the ps3 but like the r3 buttons can stick in a place and u have to move them. u should also not make the controllers glass (although that would be pretty cool they could kill people if they fell and glass shards could hit u but keep the same ps3 model for controllers but make an add on or something like that to make it stand out

The current PS3 controllers are pretty much perfect. Maybe increase battery life a bit if possible but otherwise the Duel-shock 3 has long lasting battery life (rechargeable too), is lightweight, slim, symmetrical(not awkward like Xbox) and has Bluetooth. How can you beat that?

I think the ps3 pad is great ,the only thing i would change would be to change the L3 R3 buttons . They are really anoying when you keep accidentally pressing them in a game as they are too week! Maybe make them stiffer!

I will never buy a ps4 unless it has new improvements with the old playstation controller. ive had a ps2 which broke very good life the best one, I bought when it first came out. im on a ps3 now as im talking to sony please dont change the controller.

i think this is an add on that should be implemented on the ps3! i like to play black ops and sometimes listen to music at the same time and it sucks having to listen from two devices! also a volume control to control the sound of the music and game etc.
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I think that bluetooths are a hassle the controller should stay classic dualshock style but they should install a mic into it because when you have a headset in for to long you get a headache at least I do >_< it should be standard for controllers... I would buy that controller it would make my life easier(:

i like the controllers now, but id like a little more size my hands are big and the weight of them is a little too light add a little extra room maybe for a couple extra buttons for quicker access too maybe friends online or a quicker class change for games like mw4 or 5 or whatever comes out like that, but stay classic to the dual shock style.

dont put a mic in a controller. That would just pick up the background noise of the TV. dont complain about a little head ache and get a better headset it wont happen. People are so silly. I cant believe some of the stuff i am reading makes me sick

Why should people who bought the PS3 the very first year be force to wait because 2 million people just recently bought a cheaper PS3. You can just follow the same logic with PS4 which will most likely have a longer lifespan too. But Don't worry until E3 come people are sticking with PS3 but once news of PS4 spread the older PS3 will pretty much rally for it. And if PS4 does come out next year PS3 will still have new games released on it (Call of Duty 3 was released on PS2 and PS3) for like another 2-3 years so ps3 users wont be completely left in the dust.